News and events

Weston College is delighted to announce the signing of a Heads of Terms agreement with Airbus, marking a significant milestone in the creation of the 'Manufacturing, Technology and Skills Centre' at Airbus’ Filton site. This pioneering collaboration aims to bolster the Aerospace and Defence talent pipelines in the region, strengthening the South West as a hub for advanced manufacturing and technological innovation. 

The new Centre will serve as a focal point for education, training, and skills development, leveraging the expertise of both Weston College and Airbus, along with other hallmark employers in the region. The initiative is set to provide state-of-the-art training facilities and industry-aligned programmes, ensuring that the local workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet the evolving demands of the Aerospace and Defence sectors. 

Alex Warner, Deputy Principal of Weston College, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: "This partnership with Airbus represents a transformative opportunity for our students and the wider community. The Manufacturing, Technology and Skills Centre will not only enhance the skill set of our current workforce but also inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians, and innovators. We are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting venture with Airbus." 

Simon Galpin, Airbus Head of Filton Site commented, “What a privilege to be partnering with Weston College and the West of England Institute of Technology to further enhance regional training for the Aerospace and High Value Engineering sectors in North Bristol. Supporting the growth of the UK’s aerospace and manufacturing industry is a key priority which will be achieved by drawing on our collective expertise.” 

The Centre will offer a range of courses and apprenticeships, designed in consultation with industry experts to ensure they meet the needs of employers. This includes hands-on training with cutting-edge technology, providing students with real-world experience that is directly applicable to their future careers. 

The Heads of Terms agreement sets the framework for the partnership. Weston College and Airbus have now moved even further forward by entering an 'Early Access Agreement' meaning that work will be starting on site in Filton this month, with the first intake of students anticipated in the following academic year. 

Welcome to Thatchers Farm

Down on the family farm we are all slightly obsessed perfectionists, making cider with nothing but love. That’s why we don’t just grow 8 types of apple, we grow 458, and turning those juicy apples into a refreshing pint of cider is a craft we’ve have spent four generations perfecting.

As a family company, we’ve have been working in partnership with nature for 120-years. From planting new orchards using regenerative farming methods, to enhancing biodiversity with wildflower areas – or even building a 4m high, 5-star hotel for nature in an acre of wildlife haven, we’re committed to looking after the land around us.

Now, as we enter our fifth generation of cider makers, and with a business firmly rooted in nature and the environment, we’re constantly thinking about future generations. We know that if we want to be here in another 120 years, we need to take care of the environment and our people today.

Looking after the environment

We’ve planted over 158,000 trees since 2010 and will plant 13,000 more next year. We’ve added beehives to every orchard, and with help from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, we’ve made sure our orchards are bee friendly.

Every one of our ciders is made using 100% renewable electricity including power from the 3,500 solar panels on Myrtle Farm. Even the apple left over once the juice is squeezed is turned into green energy or used to feed local cows.

In the mill, new technology has just been installed which captures all the CO2 created in the fermentation process which is then used as bubbles in the cider.

We’re constantly reviewing our packaging too, from being the first to replace plastic rings with sustainably sourced card in 2016, to using lighter cans and saving the equivalent of a whopping 5.9m cans a year. We’ve even changed the way we wash our kegs and fruit, reusing and recycling water to save consumption, and have switched to electric forklifts and LED lights.

We’ve recently opened a new warehouse that is fully automated. That means work can happen in the dark and under one roof, delivering great efficiencies and power savings. It has also reduced vehicles movements.

The next generation

Planning for future sustainability doesn’t stop with the environment. We also need the right people with the right mindsets to ensure we’re here for another 120 years.

It’s why our apprenticeship programme is so important. It’s where we grow the future skills, talent and behaviours that we’ll need as we go forward.

Pairing with Weston College allows us to really focus on local, young talent. It means we can grow young careers alongside the business and the local economy. And as we move into the next generation, with Eleanor Thatcher recently releasing her first cider in Juicy Apple, our new apprentices will grow alongside her too.

Weston College Aims to Support All Students Through Upcoming Changes 

Weston College would like to let all prospective students and their parents/carers know about recent developments regarding qualification reforms that could impact course availability for the academic year starting in September 2025. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a review of qualifications, including BTECs and other applied general qualifications, with the goal of enhancing the overall quality of options available to young people and adults. This review may lead to changes in the courses offered from September 2025, and as such, the final list of qualifications may not be confirmed until December 2024. 

What you need to know:

• Course applications: we encourage all prospective students to continue applying for the courses they are interested in. Weston College is closely monitoring the situation and will communicate updates as soon as the review is complete.
• Communication updates: we will keep all students and parents informed of any changes through direct communications, our website, and social media channels. Students who have applied by the review's conclusion will be notified immediately. 
• Impact of the government review: while the review may result in some qualifications no longer being available, Weston College is preparing for all outcomes. We remain committed to offering a range of qualifications that will meet your needs and help you achieve your career goals. 

We understand that this period of uncertainty may cause some disruption, but Weston College is fully prepared to adapt to any changes resulting from the Government’s review. 

We are confident that we will continue to provide students with high-quality qualifications and the right pathways to success, regardless of the outcome. For more detailed information about qualification reforms, please click here. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Weston College is committed to supporting you every step of the way in your educational journey, please do get in touch if you have any further questions, or chat to our School Liaison Team who will be visiting schools throughout the term, or you can pop along to our open events, find out the next date by clicking here.